It is now September 2009, a few days after the Ganpati immersions. The nights are quiet once more, all the ganpati pandals (shamianas) have been pulled down and the twinkling lights on the streets too have come off. It won't be long before it is all up again, but for now peace prevails.

What lies in the aftermath of these 10 days of celebration, are the hundreds of holes all over the streets of Mumbai. The holes that were dug to erect the bamboo poles to hold up the pandals. Who is going to fill up these holes? Who will take responsibility? Will the Mandap organizers do it with the money they have amassed or is it going to be left to the Municipality?

In our street alone, there were 4 ganpati idols. There was an air of festivity and a lot of excitement as youngsters and youth got together to bring their 'bappa' home and then after venerating him for 10 days, took him to the shores to immerse him. The sweet shops were lined with all kinds of 'modak', 'bappa's' favorite sweet. But what is sad, is what happens after. The state of the beaches for days after. And of course, these holes in the streets.

As I walk to the main road, to catch an auto or a taxi, I have to make sure my eyes are on the road, so that I don't trip and fall. It would help if whoever dug those holes, would fill them up later. Maybe the Government should enforce it by law. Who knows when that will happen, but for now, it will have to be 'watch your step' as I weave my way to the main road everyday.